Trigger switching mechanism of a nailing machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a trigger switching mechanism for a single and continuous trigger of a nailing machine, which allows different operating sequences. First, a safety rod is pressed, and then the trigger; or the trigger is first pressed and then the safety rod. With the relative shift between a hook of the flexible spacer and activating tab of the trigger, it is possible to implement single and continuous trigger modes for more convenient operations. The present invention mounts the flexible spacer onto the main body of the nailing machine, making it possible to achieve more efficient fabrication and assembly for industrial applications.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a nailing machine, and more particularly to an innovative nailing machine which has a single or continuous trigger switching mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Common nailing machines are often provided with a trigger structure that presents a single and continuous switching mechanism to meet different customer requirements. This enables either a single trigger action through pressing and holding, or a continuous trigger action with a safety rod being closely contacted with workpieces and then released from them.

However, a switching mechanism is often mounted onto the above-specified trigger structure or trigger members (e.g. safety rod and built-in tab of the trigger, etc). When the user wishes to switch the trigger mode, the switching mechanism shall be required (e.g. pushing and rotation) for this purpose. However, attention should be paid to the operation, coupling and mounting location of the switching mechanism in order to avoid excessive structural members, requiring bigger space and inconvenient operation.

Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.

To this end, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The trigger switching mechanism of a nailing machine as disclosed in the present invention only requires that trigger 10 is pressed by the nailing machine's safety lock 40, or that trigger 10 is first pressed and then nailing machine's safety lock 40 is fastened for single or continuous trigger operations, thus achieving a simpler operation.

Based upon a simplified design with flexible spacer 60 and flexible restorer 70 being mounted onto the main body 50 of the nailing machine or with only a swing-type flexible spacer 60B being installed, the trigger switching mechanism of the nailing machine as disclosed in the present invention is an improvement by addressing the shortcoming of complex structures and by making it easier to achieve more efficient fabrication and assembly for industrial applications.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isolated cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is not in operation.

FIGS. 2-4 show isolated sectional views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is in single trigger mode.

FIGS. 5-6 show isolated sectional views of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is in continuous trigger mode.

FIG. 7 shows an isolated sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is not in operation.

FIGS. 8-10 show the isolated sectional views of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is in single trigger mode.

FIGS. 11-14 show isolated sectional views of another preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is in continuous trigger mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a preferred embodiment of the nailing machine of the present invention, which is provided only for explanatory purposes with regard to the claims. The trigger 10 of nailing machine is fitted with an activating tab 30 opposite to the switch valve rod 20. The pivotal axis 31 of activating tab 30 is mounted onto retaining end 11 of trigger 10, such that the activating end 32 of activating tab 30 faces the locating end 12 of trigger 10. As the activating end 32 is pushed by the terminal 41 of nailing machine's safety lock 40, it will rotate towards switch valve rod 20.

The trigger switching mechanism (A) is mounted onto main body 50 of nailing machine. The mechanism (A) includes a flexible spacer 60, which is mounted axially onto main body 50 of nailing machine opposite to activating end 32 of activating tab 30. In the preferred embodiment, the flexible spacer 60 shifts along the same direction of nailing machine's safety lock 40. A hook 61 is mounted onto one side of flexible spacer 60 facing the activating end 32 of activating tab 30. The hook is placed at rotating path of activating end 32 of activating tab 30 when the trigger 10 is pressed. In such a case, the activating end 32 could be locked. A coupling end 62 is located at the other side of flexible spacer 60, thus allowing it to be mounted onto a predefined location of main body 50 of the nailing machine. In the preferred embodiment, a mounting section 51 is placed onto main body 50 of the nailing machine, allowing insertion of coupling end 62 of flexible spacer 60. The mounting section 51 may be designed with a groove.

The invention also includes a flexible restorer 70, which may be a spring. The flexible restorer 70 is located into mounting section 51 of the nailing machine's main body 50, such that the flexible spacer 60 could be flexibly supported with retraction and automatic reset features.

Based upon above-specified structural design, the preferred embodiment is operated as described herein.

Referring to FIG. 1, the terminal 41 of nailing machine's safety lock 40 has not been pushed towards the activating tab 30 when the trigger 10 is not pressed.

Referring to FIG. 2, the terminal 41 of nailing machine's safety lock 40 has shifted to a predefined location of activating tab 30 when the trigger 10 is not pressed. In this process, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will rotate along path L1 marked in FIG. 2, and will pass through hook 61 of flexible spacer 60. In such case, the inner side of activating tab 30 will contact the switch valve rod 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the trigger 10 is pressed and when activating end 32 of activating tab 30 is supported and located by one terminal 41 of nailing machine's safety lock 40, the trigger 10 will drive activating tab 30 to shift and then press the switch valve rod 20 via a pivotal axis 31.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the nailing machine's safety lock 40 is reset, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will rotate towards original location. Since the trigger 10 is pressed, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will shift towards the flexible spacer 60. When rotating towards the original location, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will be locked by the hook 61 of flexible spacer 60, which also limits the location of switch valve rod 20. When the trigger 10 is released, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will be separated from hook 61 and returned to original location, such that the trigger 10, activating tab 30 and nailing machine's safety lock 40 will be returned to single trigger mode as disclosed in FIG. 1.

Referring also to FIG.5, when the trigger 10 is first pressed and then nailing machine's safety lock 40 is fastened, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will shift towards flexible spacer 60, such that activating end 32 cannot pass through hook 61. So, when one terminal 41 of the nailing machine's safety lock 40 pushes activating end 32 of activating tab 30, the activating end will drive flexible spacer 60 to retract towards mounting section 51 of nailing machine's main body 50. Meanwhile, the flexible restorer 70 is pressed down to accumulate elastic force. Finally, trigger is activated when switch valve rod 20 is pressed with the rotation of activating end 32 of activating tab 30. In such an operating mode, flexible spacer 60, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 and the safety lock 40 will shift simultaneously. Thus, if the user continually presses the trigger 10, the switch valve rod 20 will be consistently held down to ensure continuous trigger operation with repetitive pressing and release of nailing machine's safety lock 40 (as also illustrated in FIG. 6).

FIG. 7 depicts another preferred embodiment of flexible spacer of the present invention. This swing-type flexible spacer 60B is mounted along a predefined rotating path onto main body 50 of nailing machine opposite to activating end 32 of activating tab 30. A hook 61 B is mounted onto one side of flexible spacer 60B facing the activating end 32 of activating tab 30. The hook is placed at rotating path of activating end 32 of activating tab 30 when the trigger 10 is pressed. In such a case, the activating end 32 could be locked. A coupling end 62B is located at the other side of flexible spacer 60B, thus allowing it to be mounted onto a predefined location of main body 50 of nailing machine via an axle 63. An oblique guide face 64 is placed at the other side of hook 61B of flexible spacer 60B, thus enabling smooth pushing of activating end 32 of activating tab 30 (referring to FIG. 12).

The above-specified preferred embodiment of the present invention is described herein. Referring to FIG. 7, the terminal 41 of nailing machine's safety lock 40 hasn't been pushed towards the activating tab 30 when the trigger 10 is not pressed.

Referring to FIG. 8, the terminal 41 of nailing machine's safety lock 40 has shifted to a predefined location of activating tab 30 when the trigger 10 is not pressed. In this process, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will rotate along path L2 marked in FIG. 8, and will pass through hook 61B of flexible spacer 60B. In such case, the inner side of activating tab 30 will contact the switch valve rod 20.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the trigger 10 is pressed, and when activating end 32 of activating tab 30 is supported and located by one terminal 41 of nailing machine's safety lock 40, the trigger 10 will drive activating tab 30 to shift and then will press the switch valve rod 20 via a pivotal axis 31.

Referring to FIG. 10, when the safety lock 40 is reset, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will rotate towards original location. Since the trigger 10 is pressed, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will shift towards the flexible spacer 60B. When rotating towards original location, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will be locked by the hook 61B of flexible spacer 60B, which also limits the location of switch valve rod 20. When the trigger 10 is released, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will be separated from hook 61 and returned to original location, such that the trigger 10, activating tab 30 and nailing machine's safety lock 40 will be returned to single trigger mode as disclosed in FIG. 1.

Referring also to FIG. 11, when the trigger 10 is first pressed and then nailing machine's safety lock 40 is fastened, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 will shift towards flexible spacer 60, such that activating end 32 cannot pass through hook 61B. So, when one terminal 41 of nailing machine's safety lock 40 pushes activating end 32 of activating tab 30, the activating end will drive flexible spacer 60B to rotate upwards and recede. Finally, the trigger is activated when switch valve rod 20 is pressed with the rotation of activating end 32 of activating tab 30. In such an operating mode, flexible spacer 60, activating end 32 of activating tab 30 and the safety lock 40 will shift simultaneously. Thus, if the user continually presses the trigger 10, the switch valve rod 20 will be consistently held down to ensure continuous trigger operation with repetitive pressing and release of nailing machine's safety lock 40 (as also illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13, 14). 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. An apparatus comprising: a nailing machine having a main body; a trigger pivotally coupled at an end thereof to said main body; a switching means for activating a nailing action of said nailing machine, said switching means having a rod with an end facing said trigger; an activating tab having an end pivotally affixed to said trigger, said activating tab having a surface facing said end of said rod, said activating tab being movable between a first position in which said surface is spaced from said end of said rod and a second position in which said surface urges on said end of said rod so as to activate said switching means; a safety lock positioned on said nailing machine so as to be movable between a retracted position away from said activating tab and an extended position urging said activating tab toward said second position; and a flexible spacer resiliently mounted in a groove formed in a surface of said main body of said nailing machine, said flexible spacer having a hook on one side thereof so as to face said activating tab, said hook engageable with an opposite end of said activating tab when said activating tab is moved from said first position toward said second position by movement of said safety lock followed by a pivotal movement of said trigger, said hook being spaced from said opposite end of said activating tab when said activating tab is moved from said first position to said second position by the pivotal movement of said trigger followed by the movement of said safety lock.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, said flexible spacer being slidably mounted in said groove such that said flexible spacer is slidable in a same direction as movement of said safety lock.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a flexible restorer received in said groove and urging on said flexible spacer in a direction toward said activating tab.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a nailing machine having a main body; a trigger pivotally coupled at an end thereof to said main body; a switching means for activating a nailing action of said nailing machine, said switching means having a rod with an end facing said trigger; an activating tab having an end pivotally affixed to said trigger, said activating tab having a surface facing said end of said rod, said activating tab being movable between a first position in which said surface is spaced from said end of said rod and a second position in which said surface urges on said end of said rod so as to activate said switching means; a safety lock positioned on said nailing machine so as to be movable between a retracted position away from said activating tab and an extended position urging said activating tab toward said second position; and a flexible spacer mounded in a groove formed in a surface of said main body, said flexible spacer positioned adjacent to a rotating path of said activating tab, said flexible spacer having a hook formed on one side of said flexible spacer so as to face said activating tab, said flexible spacer having a coupling end at an end opposite said hook, said coupling end received in said groove; and a flexible restorer mounted in said groove so as to urge on said coupling end of said flexible spacer, said flexible spacer being resistantly movable in said groove relative to the movement of said activating end between said first and second positions.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, said flexible spacer being movable in a same direction as movement of said safety lock. 